The Internet has changed the landscape of applying for openings in Corporate America. In today’s process, applicants locate an open position, complete the online application and then, upload their résumé. Next, applicants wait to see if they make it out of what many consider the dreaded 'black hole’. Most applicants believe that their resume just sits there and no one reviews it. That could be true for some, if your resume has not transformed into the new, innovate styling.
As technology has evolved, the online application systems are just as sophisticated to screen applicants based on the résumé. Therefore, your résumé is a crucial part of making it out of the cyber 'black hole’.
Here are a few tips to make it out of the ‘black hole’.
- Format – Your résumé is an outline of you and your background. Make sure the most important aspects of your background are front-loaded. This will include your profile (see #2) and keywords (see #3).
- Objectives – Objectives are a thing of the past. They have been replaced by what we’ll call a brief executive summary of you and what you bring to the table. Some call it a Professional Profile or Summary of Qualifications. This area highlights your ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills.
- Keywords – Using keywords that describe your background and the position should be listed at the top of your résumé. This will help your résumé through the scanning system.
- Job History – It is important to incorporate your impact on your roles. Include the breadth and depth of your experience. Remember, recruiters typically know what the role entails from the title. Therefore, they want to know what did YOU do while you worked there.
- Special Skills – Share your technical, language or any other special skills that makes you an ideal candidate.
- Length – Most résumé writers and hiring managers have varying opinions, but the rule of thumb is no longer than 2 pages.
- The Scan – Typically, a résumé gets about 10 seconds to catch the hiring managers attention. If you can make it past that, then you’ve probably made it out of the ‘black hole’.
- Bonus: Career Transitions - If you are changing careers, make sure you highlight your transferable skills throughout your résumé. And you may want to consider the Functional Résumé format as that focuses on skills.
Most importantly, accurately document YOU on your résumé. Tell the truth about your background. And you should reap the rewards of a scan-able résumé and make it out of the ‘black hole’.
If you need more assistance with your résumé, feel free to contact a Career Consultant at New Leaf Career Solutions.
_________
New Leaf Career Solutions is a career consulting boutique that redefines individuals and small businesses professional brands. New Leaf partners with each client to provide quality résumés, cover letters, bios, brochures and much more. Visit newleafcareersolutions.com to schedule an appointment. Follow on Facebook and Twitter for daily tips. Call today to turn over a New Leaf !!
